The Chattanooga Mocs put two in the top 10 while finishing third in the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational. The Mocs duo of Violeta Fernandez-Tagle and Nieves Martin registered their first career top 10s.
“Obviously disappointed we couldn’t finish in the top two,” Coach Colette Murray said. “We got close and let it slip away. It’s a solid start to the spring semester. We have a week to prepare for the next one and hope we can tidy up some things.”
Fernandez-Tagle and Martin paired with level-par 72s to pace today’s effort. Giulia Foresta was next with 75 as Makenzie Copper’s 76 was the final counting tally. Kera Healey had the drop score with 88.
The Mocs 295 for an 896 total. Mercer (863) claimed the win with Western Kentucky in second at 889. Chattanooga was third ahead of East Carolina (897) in fourth and the duo of Boston College and Delaware in a distant fifth at 906.
Fernandez-Tagle’s first top 10 was also a top 5. She tied for fourth with 219. Martin was four behind her with a career-best 223 to tie for ninth. Cooper just missed a top 10 tying for 12th a shot back at 224. Healey had 233, just clear of Foresta’s 235.
The Mocs look to build on the solid start at another familiar venue. The UNF Collegiate is next March 4-5 at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club.
Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational
Feb. 23-25 (F-S) | Eatonton, Ga. | 54 holes (18/day)
Great Waters G.C. | Par 72 | 6,107 yards
Lineup
3rd of 13: 297-304-295=896 (+32)
T4) Violeta Fernandez-Tagle: 74-73-72=219 (+3)
T9) Nieves Martin: 77-74-72=223 (+7)
T12) Makenzie Cooper: 71-77-76=224 (+8)
T43) Kera Healey: 75-81-77=233 (+17)
T53) Giulia Foresta: 80-80-75=235 (+19)
Field (Top 100 ranking)
(78) Chattanooga, (91) Boston College, Charlette, Cincinnati, (90) Delaware, (88) East Carolina, ETSU, Florida Atlantic, Mercer, Middle Tennessee, South Dakota State, Western Carolina & (65) Western Kentucky